Andrew Pokorny 1865 - 1928

POKORNY ERTL

Posted By: Lynnea Dickinson (email)
Date: 9/9/2018 at 13:01:40

The Davenport Democrat & Leader; Wednesday Evening, February 1, 1928

Hunter Turns Gun on Self; Had Been Ill

Andrew Pokorny, Bettendorf, Found Dead Not Far From Home

When Andrew Pokorny, 62, did not return to his home, 1336 Mississippi boulevard, Bettendorf, after a hunting trip Tuesday, a search was started for him and he was found dead in an abandoned fruit cellar not far from his home and on a hillside near the end of Brown street. Coroner J. D. Cantwell was called and pronounced death due to gunshot inflicted with suicidal intent. Pokorny had been in ill health for some time and this was believed to have been the cause of his act.

He left home about 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon to go hunting. Two shots were heard by neighbors who said they believed the reports of the firing indicated that the hunter was about a quarter of a mile north of his own home. He did not return at 6 o'clock last night when his family became alarmed and started a search for him. His body was found in an old vegetable cellar near what had formerly been a farm home which had been destroyed by fire. There was a gunshot wound in his head. It was evident that he had tied a handkerchief around the gun in such a way that he could discharge it by pulling on the handkerchief.

Andrew Pokorny was born Oct. 11, 1865, at Hohenan, Austria. He was united in marriage to Miss Marie Ertel in 1892 at Drosing, Austria. He came to America with his family in 1912, direct to Bettendorf where [he] has been employed at the Bettendorf shops as a machinist for the last 15 years. Mr. Pokorny became a naturalized citizen in 1925.

Surviving are his widow, two sons, Frank and John; four daughters, Alice, Lena, Marie and Bertha; and 12 grandchildren. He is also survived by one brother and four sisters living in Austria.

The body was removed to the P. H. McGinnis & Sons' funeral parlors and will be taken to the late home at 9 a. m., Thursday where funeral services will be held at 1 o'clock Thursday afternoon. The Rev. P. T. Coleman will officiate. Interment will be in St. Marguerite's cemetery.